Lock Repair: Fix It or Change It?
Repair, rekey or replace. How a locksmith decides, and the five-minute maintenance that keeps locks working.
Quick checks
- Turn the steering wheel gently left and right while turning the key; the steering lock may be bound
- Make sure the car is fully in Park (or neutral with the clutch in)
- Try the spare key
- Look at the key: bent, worn smooth, cracked?
Don't force it. A snapped key in the ignition turns a small problem into a bigger one.
Common causes
Worn keys. Worn wafers inside the cylinder. Debris. A failing ignition switch behind the cylinder. On chip keys, a transponder the car no longer reads, which can look like an ignition fault.
Repair or replace?
If the spare works, the problem is the key: cut a new one. If neither works smoothly, the cylinder is likely worn and may be repaired or replaced. A locksmith can often do this where the car sits. Ignition changes start at $100 on the price list. See the automotive page for more.
